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Michael Wild's avatar

No need to apologize about the tough singleton who represents Iceland's Coast Guard. I laughed aloud and so did my wife when I read it to her. IF only all of Europe had the far sightedness and backbone of the Nordic countries.

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David Chicoine's avatar

Minna, it's great - truly heartening - to hear some important details of actual, serious on the ground (and in the air) actions being taken by European countries to pry themselves away from Trump's shameful, terribly undependable defense alliance. Hopefully the day will come when Europe has its own independent defense capability (and alliance)....even after Trump and Trumpism have passed. Because Europe (and Americans!) can never be sure again that America will not once again be taken hostage by the far right wing some time in the future.

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Minna Ålander's avatar

Things are progressing, but Europe needs time… we of course hope that we can get back to good cooperation with the US, perhaps even better on a more equal footing.

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David Chicoine's avatar

A truly equal footing would be best. But of course that's beyond the foreseeable future. The focus right now must be on doing what it takes to solve the "Putin problem."

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FkDahl's avatar

What part of that the US blew up Europes most important energy infrastructure don’t you understand? The goal of the coup and war in Ukraine is to severe trade between Germany and Russia and China. And it worked !

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Troels Lange's avatar

Interesting and informative piece. Thank you

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Minna Ålander's avatar

Thank you for reading !

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Bob Swandby's avatar

Bravo Europe and especially the Nordic countries. It's time to step up to the plate because it's increasingly clear that the Trump administration isn't going to; he seems to have picked the wrong ally in the Ukraine mess.

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Arent's avatar

Great article. Thanks for the update. I once hiked in Urho Kekkosen Kansallispuisto, quite alarming to think that could be a warzone in the foreseeable future. Also alarming that the communis opinio in the Netherlands is quite proud of the brown-nosing Rutte did at the NATO top, as if it were a diplomatic masterpiece.

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Minna Ålander's avatar

Thanks for reading ! And nice to hear you went to the UKK park. Traditional diplomacy doesn’t seem to work with this administration so I guess desperate times as for desperate measures…

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